Apparatus for producing hollow articles or containers from paper pulp



Oct. 4, 1938. R. MARGUERAT El AL APPARATUS FOR PIPODUCING HOLLOW ARTICLES OR CONTAINERS FROM PAPER PULP Patented oer. 4, 1938 q 1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING HOL LOW Alt- TICLES OR CONTAINERS FROM PAPER PULP.

Robert Marguera't and Eugene Marcel Chevrler, Montrouge, France Application April 1 1938, Serial No. 12,124, In France April 8, 1935 BClaims.

The present invention relates to apparatus for the continuous manufacture of hollow articles such as pots, bottles, boxes or the like starting from liquid paper pulp as the primary material.

extending through the axis of revolution of'the carrier, a co-operating foraminous mould part subsequently coming into operation to assist in shaping the article and expressing the residual liquid to be drawn off through the conduits in the axis. 7

The invention has for its primary object to provide an apparatus which comprises a. rotary mould carrier adapted to rotate about a horizontal axishaving a plurality of female fora-minous moulds, means operated in timed relation to the carrier for delivering a measured quantity of liquid pulp to each such female mould in succession, suction being exerted around said moulds by means of passages extending through the shaft supporting the rotary carrier, which suction extracts the water from the pulp and produces a matted deposit on the moulds, means, also operated in timed relation to the carrier, for pressing said matted deposit and means for removing and drying the latter.

A further object of the invention is to devise a process and means whereby the article moulded by the co-operation of the female and male moulds is first of all freed from adherence, with the female mould, by the application of suction ,(after formation) to the male mould and cooperative pressure to the female mould, to overcome any adherence that might exist in the female mould and thereafter to be followed by a blowing pressure in the male mould to free the article from the said male mould and subsequent thereto to leave the said article in a nonadherent state to either the female'rnould 'or the male mould, so that in the course of the opera-' tion upon the withdrawal ,of the male mould from the female mould said article is left free for delivery by gravity or otherwise.

Other features of theapparatusaccording 'to the inventionwill be apparent from the following description.

The attached drawing shows one embodiment of the invention by way wherein:.--

oi example only,

' Fig. 1 is a lateral elevation view, partly in section, of themachin.

Fig. 2 is a front view thereof.

rotary mould carrier; of'the machine.

The machine is composed of three distinct parts:

1. A device for feeding the moulds with primary material.

2. A carrier rotating on a horizontal axis, supporting the moulds which serve, according to their position, for moulding, dewatering, separation and the ejection of the products.

3. Drying means.

Means are, provided for. delivering a charge of paper pulp in suspension in water to the female moulds, comprising a trough I connected to and fed by constant ,level reservoir not shown, and a Fig. is a section showing the drive of the submersible body 2 whichcan be vertically reciprocated. The level of the liquid contained in the trough is always situated below the upper edges of funnels 4 after each reciprocation of the body 2. The volumetric capacity of each funnel corresponds exactly to the amount of liquid destined for the'manufacture of one object.

For the purpose of allowing for objects of different sizes the funnels are removable and may be replaced by others of which the volume corresponds to the object to be moulded.

The trough l is provided with a mixing screw 3 destined to maintain constant the density of the mixture formed by the pulp (conveniently me-- chanical wood pulp) in suspension'in water.

The funnels are provided with delivery pipes 5 embodying valves 6 on rods influenced by return springs 8. and controlled by means of articulated levers 9. a I

The submersible body 2 is given ascending and descending movements by means of the rod Ill operating at the same time the articulated levers 9. The level of the water containing the paper pulp in suspension being constant, it is easy to see that when the body 2 is immersed, the level rises in the trough I and the liquid is thus delivered into the funnels 4, which are thus illled exactly to the required extent. I

At each reciprocation the body 2 in rising produces the opening of the feed valve for the liquid in the feed reservoir, in such a way as to reestablish the level in the trough I, each of these These funnels II are mounted exactly along the vertical axis where the filling oi? open-ended Fig. 1, to shape the objects.

female moulds i2 (formed of perforated metal or other foraminous material) is effected. The moulds l2 are fixed to arms i3 of double cross members l4 constituting a rotary carrier having two rows of moulds as shown in Fig. 2. In order to permit the rotation of the carrier after each filling of the moulds, these funnels II are movably mounted on levers l5 pivoted on a spindle l6 and controlled by an articulated rod l1 connected to the rod I0. The rod I1 is operated by a lever l8 pivoting around a fixed spindle l9 and provided with-a roller 2| on which acam 20 driven by the motor of the machine acts. It follows that at every rotation through 90 of the carrier the submersible body 2 is immersed in the liquid of the trough I and the funnels II are slightly raised to permit the successive rotation .of the said rotary carrier around a new angle The moulds l2 are positioned within cavities 22 formed at the extremity of each arm l3 of the rotary carrier. In practice these moulds are destined for the manufacture of receptacles adapted to contain food or other products. It should be understood that these moulds are removable and may be replaced by others of suitable forms and corresponding to those usedfor the manufacture of similar articles. Each cavity 22 is provided with a perforated axially extending channel 23 adapted to communicate with bores 24, 24 formed in a central fixed shaft 25 on which the rotary carrier turns. Four longitudinal bores 24 or 24 may be provided in shaft 25, flexible tubes 26 connecting with said bores opening at the side (Fig. 2) and in communication either with a suction device (not shown) destined, as will be seen in the following, to produce in the first place in the position designated by the letter A, the removal of the water and the deposi-.

tion of the paper pulp around and in the interior of the mould l2, or with an air compressor for producing the separation of the manufactured objects from the moulds (position shown by the letter B) and their expulsion from the moulds (position C) in order to permit their final drying. The position D corresponds to the cleaning of the moulds.

The separating device comprises pistons 21 guided by supports 28 and of. which the heads 29 carry perforated male mould elements 30 of which the external dimensions correspond exactly to the internal dimensions of the objects which are to be moulded. These pistons 21 are operated by a rod 30 controlled by a connecting rod 3| pivoting at 32 and moved by means of a roller 33 travelling on the cam 20. The pistons 21 are separated from the carrier before each movement of 90. The male moulds 30 carried by said pistons penetrate into the interior of the moulded objects on stoppage of the carrier (position B) as shown by Said male moulds are formed of perforated or foraminous material similarly to the female moulds l2.

At this moment there is produced through an axial perforation 34 in each piston an air suction by means of a flexible pipe 35 which separates the pots or moulded objects from the moulds l2 by suction, and this operation is facilitated by pressure air which is introduced by the bores 24 opening at the end ofthe cavities 22. Thereupon, by an admission of compressed air into the piston 21 by a pipe 35 the moulded pieces' are forced back to the interior of the moulds l2 to which they then only lightly adhere. A further revolution of 90 permits, in the position C, the

ejection of the pieces by an admission of compressed air in the pipe 24 and they fall on a travelling band 36. The receptacles thus separated are then carried on by this hand through the drier.

This travelling band 36 is operated at regular intervals in synchronism with the different operations .which succeed one another on the revolving carrier. For this purpose the invention provides a wheel 31 with four teeth and a ratchet 38, the assembly being operated by means of a rod 33 and cranks 40 and 4|. Moreover, a rod 42 connected to the crank 40. operates, by means of a ratchet wheel 43, a lever 44 and a ratchet pawl 45, the whole assembly of the rotary carrier step by step.

It has been found thatthe operation of the revolving machine permits moulded receptacles to be made at the rate of 5,000 to 6,000 per hour according to the number of arms on the shaft 25.

when the primary material has been injected into the moulds l2 (position A) the removal of the excess water is effected through the bores 23 and 24. This operation may, by a suitable formation ofthe ends'of the passages 23 and 24, be continued during the whole of the time of the revolution of the carrier through an angle of 90 and until the moulds containing the moulded objects are placed in the horizontal position B which corresponds to that of separation from the mould. At this instant, the bore 24 is connected to an air compressor and the male moulds 30 are introduced into the moulded objects. Compressed air'separates these objects and the latter are at the same time subjected to suction by the air traversing the pistons 21 through the perforations 34; the objects are thus automatically separated from the moulds. The pistons 21 are then removed towards the right and the rotary carrier again accomplishes a rotation of 90 in order to bring the separatedobjects above the .travelling band (position C) on which they fall successively, due to the rotation of the machine.

In the position D of the carrier, the moulds l2 are subjected to a cleaning by water in order to ensure perfect continuation of the operation. To this end the invention provides closing devices 45 mounted on guides 43 and connected by flexible conduits 41 to a reservoir of water under pressure. A rod 48 connected to a lever 43 pivoting around a spindle 50 actuates these closing devices 45 with rectilinear alternating movements in order that the rotation of the machine in the direction of the arrow shown on Fig. 1 can be permitted.

The moulded objects may be ejected on to the travelling band of the drier by means of a jet of hot air supplied through pipe 24 and they may be subjected during their drying to currents of hot air in order to accelerate this operation.

The machine described permits two objects to be made at the same time, but it is well understood that it could be applied to the manufacture of a greater number of objects by increasing its width.

It should be noted vthat, in order to obtain a good separation from the moulds, the moulded objects should be made slightly conical. During the moulding of bottles, the cap could be molded at the same time-as the body and the filling could be effected by the circular lower part at the base of the bottle. The bottom thereof would then to close the container completely.

What we claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of'the United States of America is:- 1. Apparatus for the manufacture of hollow articles from liquid paper pulp, comprising bearing 'supports, a fixed horizontai.shaft extending through said supports, a rotarymould cartimed communication of suction or pressure, a

trough located above the rotary mould carrier connected. with a supply of liquid paper pulp,

meansto maintain the level of the supply of paper pulp in said trough, outlets from said trough,

funnels'above said outlets the upper ends of which extend above the normal level of the liquid paper pulp in the trough, a submersible d'above the level-of the liquid paper pulp in saidtrough, means for subbody normally maintaine -mersing said body to raise the level' of the liquid paper pulp and cause a supp y to pass into the funnel's by ov'erfiow action,- valve means condesired angular positions trolling the outlets from the funnels operating in timed relationship with the movements of the submersible body and the rotation of the mould carrier to'efiect the filling of the female foraminous moulds when located in an upper position, foraminous male moulds for pressing the deposit in the female moulds rwhen located-in a position beyond the said upper position, means for inserting the said male moulds into the female moulds in timed relation with the movements of the carrier, hollow plunger means for carrying the male moulds, said hollow plunger'means being in connection with suction-producing devices and pressure-supplying devices, fixed guide means for the reciprocation of said plunger means, and means for drying the ejected products, for the purposes set forth.

2. Apparatus for articles from liquid paper pulp,

the manufacture 'of hollow comprising hearing supports, a fixed horizontal shaft extending through said supports, a rotary mould carrier having a plurality of radial arms extending from a central boss mounted to revolve upon said fixed horizontal shaft, means for effecting the periodic rotational movement of the said mould carrier, a plurality of open-ended female foraminous moulds one disposed at the end of each radially extending arm in a cavity at the end of said arm mounted in said carrier, conduits in said carrier extending to said moulds and communicating in with other conduits passing through the fixed shaft for the timed communication of suction or pressure, a,trough located above the rotary mould carrier connected with a supply of liquid paper pulp, means to maintain the level of the supply of paper pulp in said trough, outlets from said trough, funnels above said outlets the upper ends of which extend above the normal level of the liquid paper pulp in the'trough, a submersible body normally mamtained above the level of the liquid paper pulp in said trough, means for submersing said body to raise the level of the liquid paper pulp and cause a supply to pass into the funnels by overflow action, valve means controlling the outlets from the funnels operating in timed relationshipwith the movements of the submersible body and the rotation of the mould .ship with the movements of the submersible body extending arm in a cavity at the, end of said carrier to effect the filling of the female foraminous moulds when located in an upper position, foraminous male moulds for pressing the deposit in the femalemouid's when located in a positionbeyond the said upper position, means for 5 inserting the said male moulds into the female moulds in timed relation with the movements of' ucts, for the purposes set forth.

3. Apparatus for the manufacture of hollow 15 articles from liquid paper pulp, comprising hear- .ing supports, a fixed horizontal shaft extending through said supports, a rotary mould carrier mounted to revolve upon said fixed horizontal shaft, means for effecting the periodic rotationalmovement. of the said mould carrier, a plurality ofopen-ended female foramlnous moulds mounted in said. carrier, conduits in said carrier extending to said moulds and communicating in desired. angular positions with other conduits passing through the fixed shaft for the timed communication of suction orpressure, a trough located above the rotary mould carrier connected with a supply of liquid paper pulp, means to maintain the level of the supply of paper pulp in said trough, outlets from said trough, funnels above said outlets the upper ends of which expulp in said trough, means for submersing said body to raise the level of the liquid paper pulp and cause a supply to pass into the funnels by overflow action, valve means controlling the outlets from the funnels operating in timed relation- 0 and the rotation of the mould carrier to effect the filling of -the female foraminous moulds when located in an upper position, foraminous male moulds for pressing the deposit in the' female 5 moulds when located in a position beyond the said upper position, means for inserting thesaid v male moulds into the female moulds in timed relation with the movements of 'the carrier, hollow plunger means for carrying the male moulds, said hollow plunger means being in connection with suction-producing devices and pressuresupplying devices, fixed guide means for the reciprocation of said plunger means, means for drying the ejected products and means for cleaning the female foraminous moulds in a position angularly beyond the ejecting position preparatory to approaching the filling position, for the purposes set forth.

4. Apparatus for the manufacture of hollow articles from liquid paper pulp, comprising hearing supports, a fixed horizontal shaft extending through said supports, a rotary mould carrier havinga plurality of radial arms extending from a central boss mounted to revolve upon said fixed horizontal shaft, means for effecting the periodic rotational movement of the said mould carrier, a plurality of open-ended female foraminous moulds one disposed at the end of each radially arm mounted in said carrier, conduits in said carrier extending to said moulds and communicating in desired angular positions with other conduits passing through thedixed shaft for the timed communication of suction or pressure, -a 75 trough located above the rotary mould carrier connected with a supply-of liquid paper pulp, means to maintain the level of the supply of paper pulp in said trough, outlets from said trough, funnels above said outlets the upper ends of which extend above the normal level of the liquid paper pulp in the trough, a submersible body normally maintained above the level of the liquid paper pulp in said trough, means for submersing said body to raise the level of the liquid paper pulp and cause a supply to pass into the funnels by overflow action, valve means controlling the outlets from the funnels operating in timed relationship with the movements of the submersible body and the rotation of the mould carrier to eifect the filling of the female foraminous moulds when located in an upper position, foraminous male moulds for pressing the deposit in the female moulds when located in a position beyond the said upper position, means for inserting the said male moulds into the female moulds in timed relation with the movements of the carrier, hollow plunger means for carrying i'the male moulds, said hollow plunger means being in connection with suction-producing devices and pressure-supplying devices, fixed guide means.

for the reciprocation of said plunger means, 'means for drying the ejected products and means for cleaning the female foraminous moulds in a position angularly beyond the ejecting position preparatory to approaching the filling position, for the purposes set forth.

5. Apparatus for the manufacture of hollow articles from liquid paper pulp, comprising bearing supports, a fixed horizontal shaft extending through said supports, a rotary mould carrier mounted to revolve upon said fixed horizontal shaft, means for eifecting the periodic rotational movement of the said mould carrier, a plurality of open-ended female foraminous moulds mounted in said carrier, conduits in said carrier extending to said mouldsand communicating in desired angular positions with other conduits passing through the fixed shaft for the timed communication with suction or pressure, a trough located above the rotary mould carrier connected with a supply of liquid paper pulp, means to;

maintain the level of the supp y of paper pulp in said trough, outlets from said trough, funnels above said outlets the upper ends of which extend above the normal level of the liquid paper pulp in the trough, a submersible body normally maintained above the level of the liquid paper pulp in said trough, means for submersing said body to raise the level of the liquid paper pulp and cause a. supply to pass into the funnels by overflow action, valve means controlling the outlets from the funnels operating in timed relationship with the movements of the submersible body and the rotation of the mould carrier to effect the filling of the female foraminous moulds when located in an upper position, guiding funnels elow the said outlets to lead the liquid paper pulp passing from 'said outlets to the positioned female foraminous moulds, and means operating in timedrelationship with the rotation of the rotary mould carrier for bringing said guiding funnels into and out of operative relationship with the said rotary mould carrier, foraminous male moulds for pressing the deposit in the re male moulds when located in a position beyond the said upper position, means for inserting the said male moulds into the female moulds in timed relation with the movements of the carrier, hollow plunger means for carrying the male moulds,

, ciprocation of said plunger means, and means for drying the ejected products, for the purposes set forth.

6. Apparatus for the manufacture of hollow articles from liquid paper pulp, comprising bearing supports, a fixed horizontal shaft extending through said supports, a rotary mould carrier having a plurality of radial arms extending from a central boss mounted to revolve upon said fixed horizontal shaft, means for effecting the penodic rotational movement of the said mould carrier, a plurality of open-ended female foraminous moulds one disposed at the end of each radially extending arm in a cavity at theend of said arm mounted in said carrier, conduits in said carrier extending to said moulds and communicating in desired angular positions with other conduits passing through the fixed shaft for the timed located above the rotary mould carrier connected with a supply of liquid paper pulp, means to maintain the level of the supply of paper pulp in said trough, outlets from said trough, funnels above said outlets the upper ends of which extend above the normal level of the liquid paper pulp inthe trough, a submersible body normally maintained above the level of the liquid paper pulp in said trough, means for submersing said body to raise the level of the liquid paper pulp and cause a supply to pass into the funnels by overflow action, valve means controlling the outlets from "the funnels operating in timed relationship with the movements of the submersible body and the rotation of the mould carrier to'effect the filling of the female foraminous moulds when located in an upper position, guiding funnels below the said outlets'to lead the liquid paper pulp passing from said outlets to the positioned female foraminous moulds, means operating in timed relationship with the rotation of the rotary mould carrier for bringing said guiding funnels into and out of operative relationship with the said rotary mould carrier, foraminous male moulds for pressing the deposit in the female moulds when located in a position beyond the said upper position, means for inserting the said male moulds into the female moulds in timed relation with the movements of the carrier, hollow plunger means for carrying the male moulds, said hollow plunger means being in connection with suction-producing devices and pressure-supplying devices, fixed guide means for the reciprocation of said plunger means, and means for drying the ejected products, for the purposes set forth.

7. Apparatus for the manufacture of hollow articles from liquid paper pulp, comprisingbearing supports, a fixed horizontal shaft extending I extending to said moulds and communicating in desired angular positions with other conduits passing through the fixed shaft for the timed located above the rotary mould carrier connected with a supply of liquid paper pulp, means to maintain the level of the supply of paper pulp 70 communication of suction or pressure, a trough in said trough, outlets from said trough, funnels above said outlets the upper ends of which extend above the normal level of the liquid paper pulp. in the trough, a submersible body normally maintained above the level of the liquid paper pulp in said trough, means for submersing said body to raise the level of the liquid paper pulp and cause a supply to pass into the funnels by overflow action, valve means controlling the outlets from the funnels operating in-timed relationship with the movements of the submersible body and the rotation of the mould carrier to effect the filling of the female foraminous moulds when located in an upper position, guiding funnels be-* low the said outlets to lead the liquid paper pulp passing from said outlets to the positioned female foraminous moulds, means operating in timed relationship with the rotation of the rotary mould carrier for bringing said guiding funnels into and out of operative relationship with the said rotary mould carrier, foraminous male moulds for pressing the deposit in the female moulds when located in a position beyond the said upper position, means for inserting the said male moulds into the female moulds in timed relation with the movements of the carrier, hollow plunger means for carrying the male moulds, said hollow plunger means being in connection with suction-producing devices and pressure-supplying devices, fixed guide means for the reciprocation of said plunger means, means for drying the ejected products and means for cleaning the female foraminous moulds in a position angularly beyond the ejecting position preparatory to approaching the filling position, for the purposes set forth.

8. Apparatus for the manufacture of hollow articles from liquid paper pulp, comprising bearing supports, a fixed horizontal shaft extending through said supports, a rotary mould carrier having a plurality of radial arms extending from a central boss mounted to revolve upon said fixed horizontal shaft, means for effecting the periodic rotational movement of the said mould carrier, a

plurality of open-ended female ioraminous moulds one disposed at the end of each radially extending arm in a cavity at the end of said arm mounted in said carrier, conduits in said carrier extending to said moulds and communicating in desired angular positions with other conduits passing through the fixed shaft for the timed communication of suction or pressure, a trough located above the rotary mould carrier connected with a supply of liquid paper pulp, means to maintain the level of the supply of paper pulp in said trough, outlets from said trough, funnels above said outlets the upper ends of which extend above the normal level of the liquid paper pulp in the trough, a submersible body normally maintained above the level of the liquid paper pulp in said trough, means for submersing said body to raise the level of the liquid paper pulp and cause a supply to pass into the funnels by overflow action, valve meanscontrolling the outlets from the funnels operating in timed relationship with the movements of the submersible body'and the rotation of the mould carrier to effect the filling of the female foraminous moulds when located in an upper position, guiding funnels below the said outlets to lead the liquid paper pulp passing from said outlets to the positioned female foraminous moulds, means operating in timed relationship with the rotation of the t rotary mould carrier for bringing said guiding funnels into and out of operative relationship with the said rotary mouldcarrier, foraminous male moulds for pressing the deposit in the female moulds when located in a position beyond the said upper position, means for inserting the said male moulds into the female moulds in timed relation with the movements of the carrier, hollow plunger means for carrying the male moulds, said hollow plunger means being in connection with suction-producing devices and pressure-supplying devices, fixed guide means for the reciprocation of said plunger means, means for drying the ejected products and means for cleaning the female foraminous moulds in a position angularly beyond the ejecting position preparatory to approaching the filling position, for the purpose set forth. I

ROBERT MARGUERAT. EUGENE MARCEL CI-IEVRIER, 

